23rd November 1816: Correspondents argue about shearing frames in the Leeds Mercury

In addition to the above paper, on the general subject, the following observations on the use of Machinery in the Dressing of Woollen Cloth, have been handed to us for insertion:

"The finishing of woollens by machinery," says one of our correspondents, "does not diminish manual labour. In proof of which assertion, I beg leave to state, that I am acquainted with a manufacturer in the neighbourhood of Leeds, who finishes about twenty-two pieces of cloth weekly, and if this cloth was finished by hand labour, the journeymen's wages would amount to about 26l. Fourteen or fifteen workmen would be required in that way to perform this work, whereas, by machinery, twenty workmen are required, twelve of whom have from 20 to 40 shillings per week, four of them 15 to 20 shillings weekly, and the other four a less sum. Instead of a decrease, there is therefore, as I have asserted, an increase of manual labour. A journeyman cropper would finish at 5 cuts, that work on which machinery bestows 8, 9, or 10, and two men would raise in half a day as much cloth as can be raised by machinery in nearly double that time. These are not mere vague notions, but facts founded on experience. The principal use of machinery in this department of the woollen trade, consists in the superior style of finishing. Cloth dressed in this way is more valuable than that finished by hand, that is, if it be properly prepared, for if not, machine dressing injures the fabric."

Another correspondent, writing on the same subject, says, "The usual payment made by cloth dressers to their workmen, for cloth dressed by hand labour, is 5 percent. upon the cost price of cloth; while the average wages paid for the last four years, by a house in this neighbourhood, pretty extensively engaged in the dressing of cloth by machinery, has been found on an accurate examination, to amount only to three and a half per cent.; so that the sum paid for labour is thirty shillings less in every five pounds. Or the matter may be put in another light: The men who work the machinery, being under no restrictions, and requiring less skill, are content to work for 18s a week each; but the regular cloth dresser working by hand, will own 30s. From which it would appear, that as many hands are required, but the labour employed in the new, is less expensive than that used in the old mode of dressing."

23rd November 1816: 'A Manufacturer' replies to 'Observator' in the argument about technology in the Leeds Mercury

MR. EDITOR,—I would not have troubled you with this, had I not felt much disappointment, on perusing your paper of Saturday last, to find but one reply to OBSERVATOR, on taxing Machinery, and that one so very leading lenient and mild. I am not in the habit of writing for the press; I am but a manufacturer, at the head of a considerable number of workmen, and therefore I must crave indulgence from the Critic, both for my grammar and composition. I should answer Observator, first, by stating a few facts which cannot be controverted, and secondly, by asking him a few plain questions.

First, then, a demand for goods has created all the manufactories in this country, and immense sums have been invested in building, machinery, and the capital necessary to make them answer.

Secondly, this property is rateable to the poor and to every other parochial tax, and pays a far greater proportion according to its real value, than the property of the gentleman of landed interest.

Thirdly, pauperism has not increased with Machinery.

Fourthly, the wages, arising from labour without Machinery, will not enable the population to purchase the produce of the land, and other articles of support, which yield a tax, besides relieving the landed interest.

Fifthly, neither the number nor the industry of the inhabitants of this country have diminished, and they never will to any great extent, either starvation or emigration

Sixthly, the morals of the population employed in manufactories are improved in a far greater degree than in any other class of labourers in the country.

I would now ask—has not the gentleman of landed interest had a hand in the increase of Machinery? Has he ever complained until now, that he too begins to feel the pressure of the times? Has he not been the principal supporter of unjust and unnecessary wars? Has not all his influence been directed to their promotion, in order that he might increase his rent-roll? Have not pauperism and the poor-rates risen and fallen exactly with the price of provisions? And has not the price of provisions been enhanced by the wars of the Ministers of the gentleman of landed interest, the paper-money system, and that horrible and engulphing system of corruption which pervades every department in the State? Is it not this which has left the mechant without orders, the manufactories without employ, and the operative class without bread? And lastly, has not the gentleman of landed interest been, for the last twenty-five years, enriching himself by supporting war, which, he says, has increased trade, and machinery, and population, to eat his dear corn?

I would now observe, that Observator must be very ill informed indeed, if he thinks that the present population will go back to the dressing, scribbling, carding and spinning of wool, by hand-labour, as they did forty years ago. Let him but propose such a thing to the few there are yet left, and they would laugh in his face.

He must be equally ignorant of the present state of information which the operative classes have attained, to suppose they will either starve or emigrate—no, they are too numerous and too enlightened to suffer or to do this, and he may depend upon it, that if employment be not found in the usual way, they will still find the means to live. Yes, the inhabitants born upon the soil will not leave it, and they will live upon it too. God in nature teach them this, and congregated in factories they have learned to feel themselves men, and are no longer the same ignorant and stupid beings they were previous to the introductions of Machinery. The light of truth is diffused over the land, and the hand-maid of truth is virtue, and its offspring is liberty. Factories have proved schools in which inquiry has been awakened, and the social feelings improved, by which the mists of delusion have melted before the rising sun of truth, and the midnight hags of ignorance and superstition can no longer bind the people by their spells.

Here this Observator, and read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest, before it is too late. It is the voice of a Manufacturer, who considers himself as only a foreman to several hundreds of human beings, his brethren in calamity, and in the eyes of God and nature—equal.

A MANUFACTURER

22nd November 1816: Informer's report about James Towle's funeral

22d Novr 1816

I was at Towle’s Funeral yesterday—A Schoolmaster I was told gave out the Hymns that were sung from his house to and at the Grave by Six young women.—Peter Green was there and joined in the singing—Many other men also sung—Badder was there with me—He said he felt uneasy because Barnes & Lawson were not come at before the body was put into the Grave—I and Badder went to Torr’s, The Shoulder of Mutton accompanied by Adam the Scotchman, Jos. Mitchell Chris and his Brother the man at whose house the Frames were last broke at Lambley, Glover who was tried at the last Assizes and Peter Green and many others who were at the supper at Scattergoods on the occasion of Badder and Slater’s acquittal whose names I dont know—Some of their wives were with them—I believe they were all Ludds or friends to them—There was a deal of muttering amongst them saying they would not give a penny for Barnes and Lawson's lives and that they must be done—Adam and Badder said they had slept at the Police Office for several nights and that they would be seen here no more and were going to London to be Police Officers where that damned Rogue Garton was but there would be a reckoning day there and they might be let on there—They said a deal about Garton being there for safety—Nothing was proposed to be done—Jos: Mitchell was chosen for a Bearer of Towle but he did not help to carry—I could only see two Bearers that I knew; Mellors of Dob Park Lane who keeps a Shop of Frames and Robinson who lives at this end of Basford—It was dusk when the Funeral was over—There was a great many men and women but most men, and a Soldier estimated them all together at 3000—Many men from Nottm, many of them I knew to be Ludds—I saw several from Arnold, Hucknall and many from Bulwell—There was a Star or Cross upon the Coffin lid which excited much conjecture what it could be for—Some said it was because he had died game, others because he had been hung, and some damned Dr. Wylde for not allowing the Funeral service to be read—Badder said the Parish Parson would have read the Service had not Dr. Wylde threatened to strip off his gown if he did it, but he said it did not signify to Jem for he wanted no Parson about him—We all came out of Torr’s together but Mitchell and Chris went to Towle’s mother’s and promised to overtake us before we got to Nottingham but they did not—On the way Badder said he wished we could meet Barnes and Lawson—Adam told him not to mind they would be met with tho’ they might go to London; as there had been meetings there of 40 or 50,000 and things were coming to a head and he should not mind being hung for shooting one of them but he should like to see a Revolution first and then he should die easy. I, Badder, Adam and the man of Lambley whose Frames were last broke, went by the Bowling Alley (Peter and the others left us on the Road and went by Radford) to Seymour’s and there we met Sam Slater—He said Jem had been damned ill used as he had sent a letter out of Prison to shoot Barnes that he might not give evidence against him and it would be a pity if he were not done now before he got to London and that Barnes would get £140 by the Job—Badder said they must lye still abit to which they acquiesced by silence.—

22nd November 1816: The Nottingham Review publishes a biographical report of James Towle, his execution & funeral

Execution of James Towle.

This unfortunate man, who, on Wednesday last, in the vigour of manhood, and prime of his days, paid the forfeit of his life to the offended laws of this country, was born at Old Basford, in this county, of honest and creditable parents; one of whom, the father, was, about two years ago, seized by the icy hand of death, and has therefore, happily been prevented from feeling the painful emotions which must agitate the parental breast, and tear every feeling of a father's heart, in the contemplation of the disgraceful end of a darling son; but the widowed bereaved mother, is left to struggle with all the anguish which such a catastrophe is capable of inspiring. HER feelings we will not attempt to describe; the death of a son, is painful under any circumstances; but in the present instance, after all the hopes that might have been excited by the long delay which has taken place since the awful sentence of the law was passed, the thorns, which tear her heart, must be beyond desscription terrible: the barbed arrow of sorrow has entered, which probably will never be extracted while wife remains.

Towle was apprenticed to his father, as a framework-knitter; and no particular circumstance marked his character until he arrived at manhood; but since that period, HIS LIFE has several times been in jeopardy, in consequence of his bad conduct, and immoral life. In the year 1814, he was accused of being one of the band of framebreakers that destroyed some frames in Mr Garton's house, in New Basford, the village in which Towle then lived, and at the Lent Assizes following, he was put the bar, in the County-hall, in this town, and tried for the offence; but after a long consultation, the Jury brought in a verdict of NOT GUILTY. In July, 1816, he was, however, again committed to prison on the charge for which he has now paid the penalty of the law. The offence having been perpetrated at Loughborough, he was of course confined in Leicester gaol, and on Saturday morning, August 10, about seven o'clock, he, along with John Slater Benjamin Badder, was put to the bar. The trial lasted upwards of twelve hours, and after Baron Graham, who presided, had given his charge, the Jury found Towle GUILTY OF AIDING AND ABETTING, BUT NOT OF FIRING THE PISTOL AT ASHER; and in consequence of the verdict, Baron Graham passed sentence of death upon him.

In the course of the trial, Mr. Denman, one of the counsel for the prisoners, made some objections to the wording of the indictment; and the prisoner was resspited, in order that the opinion of the twelve Judges might be taken on the subject. On the 13th of November, the case was argued in the Court of Exchequer, and the following reports of it is given in the London papers:—

"The twelve Judges sat in the Exchequer Chamber to hear arguments on the reserved case of James Towle, one of the men convicted before Mr. Baron Graham, at Leicester. The Prisoner was one of those persons connected with the frame-breakers, and was charged with several others, with shooting at certain of his Majesty's subjects with intent to kill them. The two points reserved were, first, that the Jury having found the Prisoner guilty of being present, but not of firing the pistol he could not be found guilty as a principle; and further, that on account of the word ‘feloniously’ being omitted in the accounts, charging him with being an aider and abettor, neither could be found guilty upon those counts.

"Mr Denman was heard at considerable length in support of the objections taken at the trial, and submitted, that the Prosecutors Counsel, by having put the question to the Jury, whether the prisoner was the person who fired the gun or not, and having drawn from them an opinion, must not now complain, if that opinion should prove fatal to the prosecution.

"Mr Reynolds, on the other side, argued in support the verdict Guilty; and contended, that the word ‘feloniously’ being mentioned in the first count, must be taken to be so connected with the words ‘then and there present aiding and assisting’ in the other counts, so as to over-rule them all. The Learned Counsel also contended, that this case came precisely under the provisions of the Black Act, and therefore, that all those aiding and abetting must be considered as principals. With respect to the question put to the Jury, and their finding upon it, the question itself was unnecessary, and the answer to it ought, in no way, to affect the verdict in any legal point of view."

The Judges being unanimous in their opinion, that the objections could not be sustained, the law was ordered to take its course. The unhappy man heard the result of the application with the utmost fortitude and composure; and constantly, whenever opportunity served, declared his innocence.—He several times expressed his thankfulness to Mr. Musson, the keeper, for the kind treatment he had received from him, which was all along distinguished by Mr. M’s characteristic humanity.

On Tuesday, the Rev. Mr. Highton, the chaplain to the County Gaol, preached what is termed the condemned sermon; and on the same morning, Towle took a very affecting farewell of his wife and four young children.

On Wednesday morning, he was taken, under an escort, in a chaise, to the building, an appendage to the New Bridewell now erecting, within a few yards of the west-end of the infirmary. At an early hour, great numbers assembled to see the new drop (which had been placed there only the day before) and kept increasing until twelve o'clock, when Towle, with a firm and undaunted step, came upon the platform, attended by the Sheriff and his deputy, the chaplain, the two gaolers, &c. after paying the utmost possible attention to the prayers of the chaplain, with a firm and audible voice, he gave out one of Dr. Watt's admirable hymns, beginning with—

"Oh! for an overcoming faith,
To cheer my dying hours;
To triumph o’er the monster death,
With all his frightful powers."

He gave out the whole of the hymn, two lines at a time, and joined in singing it with the utmost fervency. About half past twelve, every thing being ready the platform fell, and launched him into eternity, in the presence of an immense number of spectators, who conducted themselves in the most orderly manner, and without the least attempt a disturbance.

After hanging the usual time, his body was demanded by his cousin Josiah Towle, who before he could obtain it, was required to put his hand to the following document:—

"The corpse of James Towle having been delivered to me on behalf of his mother, who is desirous of interring it at Basford, I hereby undertake that the same shall be buried there before sunset to-morrow, with all possible privacy, and I hereby make myself responsible that there shall be no public exhibition, either previously to, or at the funeral, and particularly that the corpse shall not be detained in the town of Nottingham, but that the same shall be conveyed, as privately as possible, throughout that town, and in case of any disturbance taking place, in consequence of the conveyance or burial of the said corpse, I consent this paper may be produced in evidence against me.

“Dated this 20th of Nov. 1816.

            HIS
“JOSIAH + TOWLE”
          MARK

"I further engage that the corpse shall not be halted or detained at any other place between Leicester and Basford, than the following:—

“To bail for one hour at Rothley House.
“To put up for the night or bail at Costock.
“To bail for one hour at Bradmore and from thence to Basford without stopping."

The body was conveyed through Nottingham during the course of Wednesday night, and on Thursday afternoon, was committed to the earth in Basford church yard, by the side of his father, in the presence of thousands of spectators; every thing being conducted in the most peaceable and orderly manner.

21st November 1816: James Towle is buried in Basford 'in the presence of thousands'

On Thursday 21st November 1816, James Towle was buried in Basford, with thousands of people being present.

The funeral was covered in several regional newspapers, with the Nottingham Review of 22nd November including the conditions Towle's relatives had to adhere to to take possession of the corpse & conduct the burial:

After hanging the usual time, his body was demanded by his cousin Josiah Towle, who before he could obtain it, was required to put his hand to the following document:— 

"The corpse of James Towle having been delivered to me on behalf of his mother, who is desirous of interring it at Basford, I hereby undertake that the same shall be buried there before sunset to-morrow, with all possible privacy, and I hereby make myself responsible that there shall be no public exhibition, either previously to, or at the funeral, and particularly that the corpse shall not be detained in the town of Nottingham, but that the same shall be conveyed, as privately as possible, throughout that town, and in case of any disturbance taking place, in consequence of the conveyance or burial of the said corpse, I consent this paper may be produced in evidence against me.

“Dated this 20th of Nov. 1816. 

            HIS 

“JOSIAH + TOWLE”

          MARK

"I further engage that the corpse shall not be halted or detained at any other place between Leicester and Basford, than the following:—

“To bail for one hour at Rothley House.
“To put up for the night or bail at Costock.
“To bail for one hour at Bradmore and from thence to Basford without stopping." 

The body was conveyed through Nottingham during the course of Wednesday night, and on Thursday afternoon, was committed to the earth in Basford church yard, by the side of his father, in the presence of thousands of spectators; every thing being conducted in the most peaceable and orderly manner.

Also present at the funeral was the Secret Agent employed by the Nottingham 'Secret Committee' of bureacrats and employers, and the Town Clerk would receive a report from him the following day.

20th November 1816: The owner of the Stamford Mercury forwards a threatening letter he received to the Home Secretary

Stamford, Nov. 20, 1816.

My Lord

I should not have deemed it necessary or desirous to have troubled your Lordship with the accompanying Letter, addressed to me from the Committee of Incendiaries at Nottingham, had the consideration of its contents been merely personal to myself;—but, understanding from Mr. Mansfield, banker, of Leicester, who accidentally called upon me yesterday, that the character of the writing is the same as that of a letter written to him some time ago from the same quarter, (and for the writing of which letter he prosecuted a man of Nottingham at the assizes at Leicester, but unfortunately not to conviction,) I send it to your Lordship, with a view of assisting any enquiry which in your public situation you might be instituting into the practices of the wretched men who denominate themselves Luddites.

I am, my Lord,
with sincere respect,
Your Lordships very humble servant,

Richard Newcomb, Junr

[To] Lord Viscount Sidmouth.

20th November 1816: "An affectionate address to the People of Leicester, on the execution of James Towle,"

The Tory Leicester Journal of 22nd November 1816 reported that a handbill titled "An affectionate address to the People of Leicester, on the execution of James Towle," was hawked around the town after James Towle was executed on Wednesday 20th November 1816 and published an 'extract' from it:

He, her noble Laws defying,
Join’d the sworn Rebellious Crew,
All in midnight ambush lying,
Dreadful deeds of Death to do:—
Oh! My friends!—while you were gazing,
Curious, on the awful spot,
When th’ appointed hand was raising
To the neck of the final knot.—
When (the last distortion hiding)
O’er his face the cap was thrown;
When the cord, impetuous gliding,
Stifled ev’ry rising groan—
When the last sad pray’r was ended,
When you heard the last Amen;
When the loosen’d plank descended—
What did CONSCIENCE tell you then?
Did she not, in sounds appalling,
Piercing through your shudd’ring heart,
Bid you ne’er, (whate’er your calling)
From the FEAR OF GOD depart?
Did she not, in tone of thunder,
Bid you dread your COUNTRY’S LAWS,
Nor burst those sacred hands asunder
Which should bind you to her Cause?—
Did she not to honest bosoms,
Whisper in her "still small voice,"
"Let each loyal, christian Briton,
In his well-tried faith Rejoice!"

20th November 1816: James Towle's hymn - 'Oh! For an overcoming faith'

According to various reports, the Nottinghamshire Luddite James Towle sang the whole of this hymn prior to his execution on Wednesday 20th November 1816:

O for an overcoming faith
To cheer my dying hours;
To triumph o'er the monster Death,
And all his frightful powers!

Joyful with all the strength I have
My quiv'ring lips should sing-
Where is thy boasted vict'ry, Grave?
And where the monster's sting?

If sin be pardoned, I'm secure,
Death hath no sting beside;
The law gives sin its damning power;
But Christ, my ransom, died.

Now to the God of victory
Immortal thanks be paid,
Who makes us conquerors while we die,
Through Christ our living head.

20th November 1816: The execution of the Nottinghamshire Luddite, James Towle

On Wednesday 20th November 1816, the Luddite James Towle was executed in Leicester, before a crowd of between 10-20,000 people. The execution was reported in several newspapers, and it worth comparing the accounts.

The Nottingham Review of 22nd November contained the passage about the execution:

On Wednesday morning, he was taken, under an escort, in a chaise, to the building, an appendage to the New Bridewell now erecting, within a few yards of the west-end of the infirmary. At an early hour, great numbers assembled to see the new drop (which had been placed there only the day before) and kept increasing until twelve o'clock, when Towle, with a firm and undaunted step, came upon the platform, attended by the Sheriff and his deputy, the chaplain, the two gaolers, &c. after paying the utmost possible attention to the prayers of the chaplain, with a firm and audible voice, he gave out one of Dr. Watt's admirable hymns, beginning with— 

"Oh! for an overcoming faith,
To cheer my dying hours;
To triumph o’er the monster death,
With all his frightful powers." 

He gave out the whole of the hymn, two lines at a time, and joined in singing it with the utmost fervency. About half past twelve, every thing being ready the platform fell, and launched him into eternity, in the presence of an immense number of spectators, who conducted themselves in the most orderly manner, and without the least attempt a disturbance.

The Tory Leicester Journal of the same date contained the following:

We stated from authority in our last, that the case of James Towle, convicted at our late Assizes of Frame breaking, &c. at the Bobbin Lace manufactory of Messrs. Heathcote and Boden, at Loughborough, had been argued in the Exchequer Chamber on the preceding Wednesday, when the twelve Judges were unanimously of opinion, that the conviction of the prisoner was legal. The term of his respite expired last Wednesday; an early on the same morning the convict was removed from the present County Gaol, to the new one now building at the end of Horsepool street, where a new drop was erected in the front of the principal entry.—The Chaplain of the Gaol attended him early in the morning, in the necessary devotionary exercises, and at 12 o'clock he was brought upon the platform attended by the different officers, where he evinced a manly and becoming fortitude, worthy of a better fate. He bowed on his entrance to the populace, but made no address. After the Chaplain had gone through the usual prayers, the Prisoner gave out and sang a hymn with great solemnity and a very audible voice, after which the several attendants having withdrawn, he was launched into eternity, and appeared to die without struggle or emotion.—Some strong insinuations having been made respecting the removal of the Prisoner without the heretofore customary cavalcade, as if it implied a fear—we beg to state, that nothing could be more foreign to the intention of the executive department. As the new Gaol is now nearly come completed and will be very shortly occupied, it was deemed expedient that the new regulations respecting executions should in the present instance be entered upon, and the decorum and solemnity which were manifested on this occasion, justify the wisdom and policy of the measure. Heretofore the unhappy wretches were dragged two or three miles distant from the town, amidst the din and noise of the thoughtless and wicked, whose loose manners and depraved habits gave the scene more the appearance of a holiday, than the awful removal of a human being from life to eternity. On this occasion the unhappy victim had all the consolation that could arise from his latest moments being employed in devotionary exercises undisturbed by the noise and folly of unthinking multitude; and there was enough of public spectacle to satisfy all the judgment that awaits those, who trench upon the rights of their fellow creatures, and offend against the laws of their country. The assemblage was very great, but the almost decorum and propriety of demeanour were manifest throughout. 

James Towle was about 5 feet 2 inches high, 34 years of age, and has left a wife and four children to lament his untimely end. During the whole of his confinement, he conducted himself with great propriety, but elicited nothing that would at all implicate the LUDDITES, to whose dark and diabolical system he has been the first to suffer. His wife and four children, with some relatives arrived on Sunday, and continued until Tuesday.

Finally, the Leicester Chronicle of the 23rd November contained the following:

On Wednesday last, the awful sentence of the law was put in force against this unfortunate man, at the New Drop, in front of the County Bridewell, lately erected at the bottom of Horsepool-street, and was witnessed by a greater number of spectators than had been observed on any similar occasion for many years past. Contrary to the usual custom in this place, he was removed from the County Gaol early in the morning, in a post chaise, accompanied by the Gaoler and two Assistants only, in order to render his last moments less interrupted by the noisy and giddy crowd usually attendant upon the heretofore customary cavalcade. A short time after his arrival at the New Gaol, he was attended in the usual devotionary exercises, by the Rev. Mr Heyton, the Chaplain of the Gaol, who continued with him until the fatal hour. At twelve o'clock he came upon the platform in the most firm manner, bowing to the spectators three separate times, attended by the High Sheriff, the Chaplain, two Gaoler, &c.; after devoting about a quarter of an hour in prayer, he requested a book to be placed in his hand, which being done, he selected therefrom a hymn of Dr. Watts, beginning with— 

[Hymn] 

which he gave out, two lines at a time, and joined in singing with the greatest attention, until the whole was finished; turning towards the High Sheriff he took him by the hand, and expressed himself in grateful terms for his attention during his confinement. He also shook hands with the Chaplain and Gaoler, also thanking them for their humane and diligent regard to his spiritual and temporal comforts since his trial; then placing himself under the fatal tree, and taking off his neck-handkerchief, which he requested might be tied round his eyes, and having himself adjusted the rope about his neck, the signal was given, and he was launched into eternity, without scarcely experiencing a struggle. 

20th November 1816: James Towle makes a confession prior to his execution

Unlike most of the Luddites (or alleged Luddites) held prisoner, the notorious Nottinghamshire Luddite James Towle gave a confession prior to his execution. Of course, it is impossible to know the circumstances under which it was given and, at this point, Towle had been imprisoned for several months and had had his hopes raised and dashed by an unsuccessful appeal. E.P. Thompson considered that this confession 'may have been designed to throw his questioners off the scent' (1991; p.627), but it does contain names of men who were subsequently tried for Luddism. Either way, it is fascinating reading.

The end of the document also contains a commentary about Towle's behaviour before he was executed.

Statement made by Jas. Towle on the morning of his execution namely the 20th of November 1816 to Mr. Pochin, the High Sheriff and Mr C.G. Mundy.—

Towle said that he knew nothing of any plan to destroy Heathcoates Lace Factory at Loughbro’ until a few days or a week before it took place—that what he had said to Kilbourn, that something would take place on Friday night alluded to something that had been talked of among the Luddites to be done at Nottm but which did not take place.—That the first he heard of an intended Job at Loughbro’ was  from Mitchell who came to him a few days previous to the above Job & told him it was intended to go to Loughbro’ & to destroy Heathcoates Factory & that he, Towle, must make one of the party; Towle replied he thought he could not go as he had some work in his Frame to finish—Mitchell [said] he must go as it might be a strong Job & they were afraid of [being] short of hands & could not do without him—Towle then consented to go—Towle came by himself from Basford by way of Leek to Loughbro’—He did not stop at any house on the way, or meet any body he knew; he only [arrived] at Loughbro’ just before the attack on the Factory commenced—does not know whether the Gang assembled in Morley’s Barn or not; they were all in the Street [going] down to the Factory when he [arrived]—Towle knows none of the Loughbro’ men; but understood that Badder had been over to Loughbro’ to settle the [business] with some of Heathcoate’s hands & collect money & that all Lacey’s hands subscribed—Knows one Pounder a Lace hand of Heathcoates by sight, understood he was there, but did not see him—Saw Mitchell, Savage, Slater, Peter Green, two Blackburns, Hill, Amos Crowder, Wm. Towle, a man who goes by the name of Sheepshead Joe & a man who has been a Soldier & goes by the name of the Dragoon, neither of whose real names he knows—all these persons came the neighbourhood of Nottm—Slater carried an Axe—As the party entered the Gates of the Factory a large Dog barked—He (Towle) fired his Pistol at the Dog—That they made their way to the Casting house where the Factory Watch was.—He was not one of the Foremost of the Gang at entering the Casting house—A Pistol went off in the Casting House before he entered—that when he entered three or four men were lying in a heap under the Workbench with their faces close to the Ground & two of the Gang he does not know which standing guard & pointing their Pistols at them—He went on with the greater part of the Gang into the Ground floor or Setting up Shop and from thence up the Stairs to the next Story but positively declares he never went up to the top Shop at all—Says he saw Mitchell with a Gun and fixed Bayonet in his hand & that Slater has told him with while in Gaol that the Witnesses had mistaken Joss (meaning Mitchell) for him (Towle) as it was Joss that went first up the Staircase with the Gun and Bayonet, Towle says he thinks Slater said it was the Dragoon that went up next with 2 Pistols; Slater himself with his Axe was the third—Towle thinks it must have been one of the Blackburns that fired the Pistol in the Casting house & wounded Asher as he heard some of the Gang on their road home saying they should have nobody to thank but Blackburn if any of them got hanged—Some of the Gang wanted to carry the two fire locks that they found at the Factory home with them but that others said it might cause them to be discovered—one of the Firelocks was thrown into a Pond that is close to the Factory he cannot say whereabouts but he heard it all into the Water—Sheepshead Joe guided the party on their return from over the fields by Garrington Park—the other Firelock was thrown away somewhere in the fields—they crossed the Derby Road & made the best of their way, some walking some running to Aram’s ferry—The persons above named & 2 or 3 more besides himself crossed the Trent in Aram’s Boat—He heard one of the Gang (he thinks Savage) say the Boatman was to have 10 [shillings] to hold his Tongue—On getting out of the Boat he saw Morris (a Butcher of Chilwell) & another man waiting for the Boat, Morris could not know him as he had a handkerchief all over his face—He knows Morris.—He, Mitchell, Wm. Towle and one other, he is not sure which stopped for some refreshment at Chilwell at the house of a man who married Wm. Towle’s Sister does not know his name, after they had had some ale, they all set off together on their way home—that he being tired and lame owing to a pair of tight shoes which had pinched him the whole Journey, the other 3 outwalked him, which caused it to be alone when Barnes met him—Says he is sure Barnes must know Mitchell as well as he knew him, but that there is not a Police officer in Nottm that dare bring Mitchell into trouble as he is so great a favorite amongst the Luddites—That the Police Officer who appeared at Leicester Assizes to give evidence for Slater is connected with the Luddites; that one Lowater is an advice man among the Luddites—that Gladwin of New Basford is a thief but not a Luddite—that he and Lowater make it their business to loiter about the Police Office & to dodge the officers at public Houses & Buzz them with false tales—Towle is quite sure that if the Police Officers of Nottm chose they might detect the Luddites very shortly but that they know that if Ludding were put down there would be no occasion for so many of them—Says that they consider Barnes as their greatest enemy & he thinks he will be murdered, says that the conversation, which was overheard in Gaol between Slater, Badder & himself was misunderstood it was not as reported "We must remember the old Barn & get them out please God we get at liberty again" it was "We must remember old Barnes & get him out."—Says that Mitchell and Savage [appeared] to be the head men of the Loughbro’ Job—believes that Savage had been over to Loughbro’ as well as Badder to settle about it—the gang came in separate small parties into the neighbourhood of Loughbro’ in the course of the day preceding the Attack—Some came by the Coaches from Nottm—others took a large circuit and came into Loughbro’ on the Leicester side to avoid suspicion; heard some of them say that they had waited till dark at Needleys Inn which the public House about a mile out of Loughbro’ on the Leicester Road—Says Mitchell has been a leading man among the Luddites ever since the Ludding Business began which is about 5 years ago—that Slater & Savage have also been old hands at it—Believes that Slater has broke more frames in his time than any man in the County of Nottm—that if the hammer which was produced in Court could speak he would tell horrible tales—Slater told him in Gaol he thought he broke more than 20 of Heathcoates machines himself—that a worse man than Slater cannot exist—that he talks with the greatest pleasure of ale the mischief he has ever done and, Towle said "If you 2 Gentlemen who have never kept bad company could hear how Slater goes on in his talk it would make your hair stand on an end, he neither fears God nor Devil"—A few days before the Loughbro’ Job took place Mitchell & Towle went together to one Diggle a young man about 3 or 4 & 20 years of age then living at Basford to get him to join in the Job—Towle thinks Hill, went with them but is not sure—Diggle refused to join them saying he would have nothing more to do with them as they had only paid half what they had promised for the Radford Job—On taking leave and shaking hands with Mr. Mundy immediately before he was turned off Towle said "I have not told you a word of a lie it would be of no use to me now"—

The following is what Mr. Pochin has related to Mr. Mundy as substance of what has fallen from Towle, in various conversations he has had with him in addition to the above.—Mr. Pochin has Memorandums of it in writing with which he has promised to furnish Mr. Mundy.—

Towle never took an oath of secrecy or indeed of any kind nor ever heard of any being made use of among the Gang—that they have no particular fund of money for that when any Job is intended or wanted for any purpose—It is collected among the Stockingers or Lace hands who happen to be in work at the time, that the sum required of each is so small it is never refused—the Frames would be sure to be soon broken if it were refused—they have no Depot of Arms that many of the Gang have a Pistol or 2 concealed in their houses & that when a Job is intended they borrow them of each other—He believes Savage bought a Brace of Pistols at Derby on purpose for the Loughbro’ Job—He knows of no persons in the higher ranks of life that are connected with them—That when any Job is intended 3 or 4 of the principal people go about to collect hands for it among those who they know to be well inclined to Ludding—Mr. P. understood him to say that tho’ Badder had had a great hand in planning the Loughbro’ Job he was not himself at it—Towle said that it was the Dragoon that fired so random in the Street at Loughbro’—thinks Sheepshead Joe has lived at Lambley no long time since—as the Gang returned from Loughbro’ towards Aram’s ferry they passed a man in a white smock Frock with a Cart—Some of the Gang abused him & threatened to shoot him—this is the only person besides Morris the Butcher of Chilwell and his man that Towle remembers Meeting—Says that there are plenty of people in & about Nottm that know of their goings on that some are friendly towards them & others are afraid to speak—That generally speaking the Hosiers & master Manufacturers are so much disliked among the Common people that they would sooner see their property destroyed than not—That if any of the Stockeners are suspected of not being friendly to the Luddites they take every means of injuring them & plaguing them by destroying their Potatoe and Onion Beds in the night cutting up their Gooseberry & Currant bushes (in the night) if they have any and soforth—A very handsome Powder Flask was taken from Heathcoate’s Factory—Mr. P. has a [memorandum] of who took it—he could not recollect the name of the man who took it but will inform Mr. Mundy—Towle says that the Luddites have had no hand in any thing that he knows of beyond destroying Machinery—that he has heard some of them talk about going to London to alter the Government but considered this as random talk.—

Towle died penitent & seemed to have a right sense of religion, & bitterly regretted he had not availed himself of the opportunity offered him of making these discoveries in time to save his life—acknowledged that he had been a very bad one but thought that Mitchell, Slater & Savage were worse—thinks they never will be quiet till they get hanged, seemed to pride himself in the idea that tho’ he had been a Luddite he had never been a thief—Strongly suspected that Badder saved himself by having given some information against him.—He refused to see [several] people from Nottm & Basford who came to seem on the morning the execution & the day previous—Lowater among the rest—who called several times & was extremely pressing to see him—Towle would converse with nobody but Mr. Pochin & Mr. Mundy;—was removed from the Gaol to the new House of Correction where the Execution drop by night at his own request thinking it would agitate his mind to pass through the Crowd that would be assembled if he were removed by daylight & seemed very anxious that the removal of his body to Basford & his funeral should be as private & as quiet as possible—His great anxiety seemed to be about the future fate of his wife & Children & was very anxious that they should go to reside with his mother & expressed great gratitude towards the High Sheriff & the Gaoler for the treatment he had experienced since his condemnation adding that his long [imprisonment] had been of great service in bringing his mind to the calm state of Resignation it was in & of which he frequently spoke with the greatest comfort & satisfaction—the crowd was immense, some say 20,000, but Mr. C. Mundy thinks there were not more than 10,000—The Troop of the 15th Huzzars that are quartered at Leicester were ordered to remain in readiness at their Stables but the Civil power were alone present at the Execution—Every thing was perfectly quiet & orderly—He declined making any address to the Spectators.—

19th November 1816: James Towle writes a letter to his wife the night before his execution

Dear WIFE,

In a few more hours I shall be no more. But my dear Creature in my last moments it is my duty to beg of you to seek for that peace in God which is far beyond my pen to describe or tongue to speak; and my dear Girl above all, I hope you will bring my dear Children up in the fear and love of God, and then you will find a friend; a friend that will support you through all the troubles of this world, and in the hour of death, give you that comfort that will raise your mind far above all treasures that the earth can afford. My dear Girl this afternoon there has been a gentleman that wished to see me, and made me a present of a pound note for you my dear Children, and he promised me that he would bring it to you himself with this letter, and promised me that he would do something for you towards making you comfortable, and my dear I have no doubt but my Mother will be agreeable to you and my dear Children to be with her, and I hope and trust she will be a Mother and a Guardian to mysweet Babes, which in so short a time will be Fatherless. Dear Wife, my last words are, may God Almighty bless and protect you and my dear Children in this world, and prepare you for the world to come, is my sincere prayer.

From your Dying Husband,
JAMES TOWLE.

Tuesday night [i.e. 19th November 1816], 10 o'clock.

16th October 1816: 'Investigator' writes to the Leeds Mercury in defence of Machinery

Mr. EDITOR—I do not all agree with "Observator," in your last week’s Mercury, in the recommendation of a Tax on Machinery, neither do I think many of his arguments and conclusions are good ones. His remarks appear to have arisen from a desire to relieve his country from the difficulties under which it labours. But I conceive that, as well as many others, he has mistaken the legitimate objects that occasion our distress, and of course failed in pointing out where we are to look for remedies. Though pauperism may have increased with the extension of machinery, it does not follow that they should be cause and effect, nor even that there should be any connection between them. I believe there has not been any general scarcity of work for these many years past, until the present, nor while our trade flourished, did many apply to their parishes for want of work. Though they might be displaced by machinery yet they found employ in some other department, and I believe seldom had occasion to apply to their parishes. The great increase of pauperism may be accounted for by the lax state of the morals of the lowest class, and the decay of those principles of honour, which, from considering it shameful to become chargeable to their parish, taught them to provide for themselves against a time of need. What ought to have been laid up for the winter has been too often spent in the false sunshine of dissipation. There are still townships where this honour is preserved, when the labourer, like the industrious ant, provides against a day of scarcity, and I wish this were more general; but improvidence is one of the marked characteristics of our manufacturing poor. I agree with "Observator" that the factory system has had a great share in sapping the morals of the poor, and I lament it extremely with him.

His idea of a tax on machinery is so extremely speculative and impolitic, that I think very few words needful on that subject. For it is plain to be seen that such a tax on machinery as would create an expensive demand for manual labour, must be extremely high; machinery being so much cheaper a power, not to say any thing of the superior manner in which it performs many of the operations of the manufacturing process. Whatever tax might be laid on machinery would ultimately fall on the manufactured article, and would raise the price so much, that there is little doubt it would extinguish our export trade. If this is to be extinguished, as seems to be threatened from all more quarters than one, it is time for the British merchants, whose cheif trade is in the export of manufactured goods, to be looking around for some other country, where they may employ their capital unrestrainedly.

Instead of pressing remedies that would be worse than the evil they seek to cure, it is the duty of every Briton, quietly to wait a little longer for the amendment of the times. There is already in many places a considerable improvement, and I have no doubt the evil will work its own cure. We are not alone in our difficulties; so far from this, I know few countries where the people are in a better situation than in our own. If the disposition that is shown to relieve distresses by those are able to give, be met with equal readiness by the poor to submit to their deprivations for a time, I have no doubt but the sun, which has for a season been covered with spots, will again shine with increased splendour on the people of Great Britain.

INVESTIGATOR.

Leeds, November 11th, 1816.

14th November 1816: Seven knitting-frames damaged in Luddite copy-cat attack in Leicester

In the evening of Thursday 14th November 1816, a Luddite copy-cat attack took place at a workshop in Leicester. Within 2 days, the circumstances had been reported in the Leicester Chronicle of 16th November 1816:

We are sorry to learn, that seven frames, standing in the shop of one Richard Gumley, of this Town, were wilfully damaged on Thursday night. The Magistrates were engaged on Thursday morning in the investigation of the transaction, and we had that a youth of the name of James Lodge, who worked and slept at Gumley’s, has been fully committed for Trial. It is clear from various circumstances, that no other person was concerned with him in this outrage, and there appears to have been no possible motive for it but a pure spirit of mischief or a wish to do something which should be talked about. The shop is a detached building, and situate about eight or ten yards the House. Two other men who lodge at Gumley’s were at work in it until about ten o'clock on Thursday night, and they then went into the House to get their supper and go to bed. Lodge remained in the shop about half an hour after them without any assignable motives, and he should have locked the door, when he left it. They all went to bed, two of them in one room, and Lodge in a separate one, about a quarter before eleven, and in the morning when they got up to go to work, Slaney who went first to the shop found that the door was latched, but had not been locked all, and there were no appearances of force used either at the windows or door; no footsteps were discoverable in any of the adjoining Gardens, nor in any other direction, but from Gumley’s House to the shop. And this was the more observable from the circumstance of snow having fallen during the early part of the night. The mischief was effected by piece of Iron called a Roller belonging to a Frame in the shop which was not in work, and the violence was so slight as to have occasioned little or no noise. The damage is estimated at about 12l. We are glad that this prompt and successful investigation is likely to relieve the Town from what would otherwise have been very pleasant state of feeling.

The Tory Leicester Journal adapted the same report (suggesting it was a local authority press release) the following Friday 22nd November 1816:

A momentary alarm of an unpleasant nature was excited on Friday morning last, in consequence of seven frames standing in shop of Richard Gumley, in a bye lane in the neighbourhood of Churchgate, having been wilfully damaged during the preceding night. In the investigation of the transaction before the Magistrates, it appeared that a youth of the name of James Lodge aspiring to Luddite fame, had in a mischievous spirit committed the depredation, for which he is fully committed for trial. The shop is a detached building, and situate about eight or ten yards the house. Two other men who lodge at Gumley’s were at work in it until about ten o'clock on Thursday night, and they then went into the house to get their supper and go to bed. Lodge remained in the shop about half an hour after them without any assignable motives, and he should have locked the door when he left it. They all went to bed, two of them in one room, and Lodge in a separate one, about a quarter before eleven; and in the morning when they got up to go to work, Stanley who went first to the shop found that the door was latched, but had not been locked, and there were no appearance of force used either at the windows or door; no footsteps were discoverable in any of the adjoining gardens, nor in any other direction but from Gumley’s house to the shop; this was the more observable from the circumstance of snow having fallen during the early part of the night. The mischief was effected by piece of Iron called a Roller belonging to a Frame in the shop which was not in work, and the violence was so slight as to have occasioned little or no noise.

14th November 1816: The Home Secretary informs the Sheriff of Leicestershire about James Towle's appeal

Whitehall
Novr 14th: 1816.

Sir,

I think it right to acquaint you that the Judges have unanimously decided, that the Objections taken against to the Indictment against William Towle [sic], upon his Trial, at the last Assizes for Leicester, cannot be supported, and that his Conviction upon that Indictment is good.

It is accordingly determined, after a full Consideration of all the Circumstances of this Case that the Sentence of the Law shall be carried into Effect on the Day, to which the Execution of this unhappy Man was respited by Mr. Baron Graham: viz. the 20th Day of this instant November.

I have the Honor to be,
Yr
Sidmouth.

[To] C. W. Pochin Esqr.
&c &c &c

13th November 1816: James Towle's death sentence is upheld at the Court of Exchequer in London

On Wednesday 13th November, James Towle's appeal against his death sentence at Leicester Assizes was dismissed at the Court of Exchequer in London. Some of the contemporary articles are worth reading. First, the Courier of 14th November 1816:

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Nov. 13.

CROWN CASE.

THE KING v. TOWLE.

 

At Twelve o’clock the Judges sat in the Exchequer Chamber, to hear the arguments of Counsel, on a special verdict, reserved in the prosecution of James Towle, one of the Luddites, who was tried with two others at the last Leicester Assizes, before Mr. Baron Graham, for shooting a pistol, with intent maliciously to murder George Usher.

 

Mr. DENMAN addressed the Judges in behalf of the prisoner, and stated, that a question was put to the Jury, after they had found a general verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners, Whether Towle was guilty of shooting the pistol? They answered, he was not the person who shot with the pistol. On that declaration a motion was made in arrest of judgment, and the case came before their Lordships, as a verdict of Guilty of maliciously firing, though the prisoner was not the person who fired. He had to contend, that the verdict, under such circumstances, was an acquittal.

 

Sir V. GIBBS.―The Jury do not find he was the person who pulled the trigger: but they find, that he feloniously aided and abetted the others in the unlawful act.

 

Mr. DENMAN then observed that he had to submit their Lordships, that the three last counts in the indictment, which charged the prisoner with being present, aiding and abetting the persons who fired the pistol, were not good, and that they could not be supported in law. He then proceeded to state why the judgment in the case could not be sustained against the prisoner.―The word feloniously, which was not annexed to the act of the prisoner, was required in law to set out the offence. In the three last counts of the indictment it was omitted.

 

Lord ELLENBOROUGH.―Do not the words imply that he was privy to the motive, which constitutes the fact?

 

Mr. DENMAN submitted that the indictment did not bear that construction.

 

Mr. REYNOLDS, in support of the prosecution, said, the finding of the Jury was a general verdict of guilty. His proposition, with respect to all the counts, was, that the whole were to be taken as one count. The circumstance of being present, aiding and abetting wilfully to commit murder, was indisputably a felonious act. It could not be denied that the prisoner was present aiding and abetting, and consequently he was privy to the felonious intent. There was enough to bring felony to the prisoner, without introducing the word “feloniously,” as contended for by his Learned Friend. He did not contend for any new construction of law, but one which had been acted upon during centuries, and was to be found in books of the highest authority. In the course of his argument he contended that the finding of the Jury was good, and that the verdict ought to be sustained.

 

Mr. DENMAN was heard in reply, and the Court was cleared.

 

The Judges gave no public opinion on the points.

 

The discussion of the above cause excited considerable interest. Nearly all the Gentlemen of the Bar were in Court.

The Leicester Chronicle of 16th November 1816 also covered the hearing:

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Nov. 13. 

The twelve Judges sat in the Exchequer Chamber to hear arguments on the reserved case of _____ Towle, one of the men convicted before Mr. Baron Graham at Leicester. The Prisoner was one of those persons connected with the frame-breakers, and was charged with several others, with shooting at certain of his Majesty’s subjects with intent to kill. The two points reserved were, first, that the Jury having found the Prisoner guilty of being present, but not of firing the pistol he could not be found guilty as a principal: and further, that on account of the word “feloniously” being omitted in the counts, charging him with being an aider and abettor, neither could he be found guilty upon those counts. 

Mr. Denman was heard at considerable length in support of the objections taken at the trial, and submitted, that the Prosecutor’s Counsel, by having put the question to the Jury, whether the prisoner was the person who fired the gun or not, and having drawn from them an opinion, must not now complain, if that opinion proved fatal to the prosecution. 

Mr. Reynolds, on the other side, argued in support of the verdict Guilty; and contended, that the word “feloniously” being mentioned in the first count, must be taken to be so connected with the words “then and there present aiding and assisting” in the other counts, so as to over-rule them all. The Learned Counsel also contended, that this case came precisely under the provisions of the Black Act, and therefore, that all those aiding and abetting must be considered as principals. With respect to the question put to the Jury, and their finding upon it, the question itself was unnecessary, and the answer to it ought, in no way, to affect the verdict in any legal of view. 

The Judges took time to consider their judgment.

The same edition of the Leicester Chronicle also reported the outcome, which had started to appear in newspapers:

Towle the man who has been so long under the sentence of death in our county gaol, is at length likely to end his days in an ignominious manner; as we are informed, from unquestionable authority, that the twelve Judges have decided against him. It is supposed that he will be executed some time next week.

11th November 1816: 'The Secretary' of the 'Black Committee' of Luddites writes to the Editor of the Stamford Mercury

Head Quarters Nottingham Nov 11—1816

You have in several of your latest mercurys laid before the public several diabolical accounts of the luddites & their proceedings, by saying they had changed their proceedings from Frame to House Breaking, that plunder—was their only object that no man or even his habitation was safe within their reach—that we were the terror of the Surrounding Country &c &c &c—I have the satisfaction (my means of your mercury) to inform the public by order of the Black Committee of the independent Luddites of the Nottinghamshire Division that the public by means of your infernal mercury have been led to form a very wrong idea of these men—& the whole of your explanation is entirely false. When our forces in arms where employed in frame breaking the object was not the destroying of those frames in particular, but the giving of employment to men who was willing to work & their obnoxious machines prevented them from securing employment. & by so doing released a number of distressed Wives & starving families from the bitter pains of famine & hunger which surrounded them. When they were ordered to pursue house breaking as you are pleased to term it it is well known by experience that we only practised it upon the property of those who were able to spare it we never distressed any familys by it but we have by so doing frequently given relief to the distressed.

for instance our late glorious fire at Belvoir was attended with our former Success from there it is well known we procured several hundreds in Value of Costly furniture &c made to serve the trade and ambition of a single family but the value of them is now used to provide subsistence for those who have no other means of keeping in the land of the starving

We did therefore by this act taken it from whence it was only ornament & plac’d it where it is essensial use—when it has saved families from utter Want & destruction otherwise they would have shewn the most bitter signs of distress. Husbands ready to follow they Walk’d the streets in vain to seek employment, when he return’d his wife & starving family weeping & hanging around him ready to breath their last for want of necessary support. What can be more distressing to see this heart [illegible] display of slavery daily not only in one house but through a populous country brought to the State of Slavery by carrying out protracting & long & unjust War,

O Slavery thou friend of hells recess—
Profuse of Woes & pregnant with distress
Eternal horrors in thy presence reign
and meagre famine leads thy dolefull train
to each cursed load subjection add more weight
& pain is doubled by the peoples fate—
One nature spryhtly face spreadst a gloom
& to the grave dost every pleasure doom—

What man of heart could see this & not to lead his hand to reduce the mighty Lords who overrule our liberty & relieve the necessitious

If a man of [illegible] will look unto these calamities with an eye of Compassion surely he will speak as the [lines] of our committee does by saying plunder is not our object, the common necessarys of life is what we present aim at. What we may hereafter attempt time is the only thing that can explain perhaps if [armed] with success as our services deserve we may release the key of our immense load of taxation an unprecedented National Debt a Corrupt & Despotic Government a multiplied train of Undeserved Sinecures & unmerited pensions abolish all useless berths within the army navy Civil & Government Departments & that once throw off the Military Yoke under which we are present groan caused by the [cost] of Alliance with our Deceitful [Gold] found for us

Insidious Bane that makes destruction Smooth
the foe to virtue liberty & truth
whose arts the fate of Monarchies decide
Who gildst deceit the darling Child of Pride
How oft allured by thy persuasive charms
have Earths contending powers appeared in [arms]
What nations brib’d have ours thy powerful reign
For the what millions play’d the Stormy main
Travel’d from Pole to Pole with careless [will]
& felt their blood alternate freeze & Boil

thus I have given to the public a short description of Our Plan
experience in a short time will tell you more—&c

I remain for Lud & Co

The Secretary of The Committee

*I advise you to insert these lines or your life will only pay the refusal—
remember Belvoir

*It may appear an hard task for you to insert these lines in your next weeks columns but by so doing you will greatly oblige or by the refusal you will raise the [indignated] & attract the revenge of the injured friend of liberty

11th November 1816: The Watch & Ward Act is extended to cover more places in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire—At a Special Sessions of the Peace of our Sovereign Lord King holden by adjournment at the Shire Hall in Nottingham in and for the said County on the eleventh day of November in the fifty seventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third And in the year of our Lord 1816 before William Sherbrooke Esquire The Right Honorable Sir John Borlase Warren Baronet Knight of the Bath the Reverend Charles Wylde and George Holcombe Doctors in Divinity Robert Padley Thomas Maltby William Fletcher Norton Norton Pendock Barry and Henry Crape Esquires The Reverend John Kirkby and Robert Lowe Clerks Justices of our said Lord the King assigned to keep the Peace in the said County and assembled in pursuance of an Act of Parliament Intitled "An Act for the more effectual preservation of the Peace by enforcing the Duties of Watching and Warding until the first day of March One thousand eight hundred and fourteen in places where disturbances prevail or are apprehended” (and which Act hath been revived and continued by subsequent Acts)—

Whereas it appears to this Court that disturbances are apprehended in the several Parishes Townships or Places herein after mentioned and that the Officers ordinarily appointed are insufficient for the preservation of the Peace and the protection of the Inhabitants and the security of the Property being or lying in such Parishes Townships or Places respectively It is adjudged and declared that the Officers ordinarily appointed are insufficient for the preservation of the Peace and for the protection of the Inhabitants and the security of the Property being or lying in such Parishes Townships or Places And that every Man residing within such Townships Parish or Place above the age of 17 years and charged or assessed to the rates for the relief of the Poor therein shall be subject and liable to the duties of Watching by Night by and Warding by Day according to the Provisions of the Act of Parliament before mentioned And it is Ordered that the Powers and Provisions of the said Act be carried into Execution within the several Parishes Townships or Places following (viz.) Broughton Sulney—Holmepierrepont—Hickling—Cropwell Bishop—Cropwell Butler—Colston Bassett—Gamston—Kinolton—Owthorpe—Tythby—Clipstone and Saxondale—

Ordered

That the Clerk of the Peace do give Notice of the above Adjudications the Chief Constable of the Hundred in which the above places are situate and also give notice thereof to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department and also publish the same in the Nottingham Journal—

Upon application be made to this Court by and on behalf of the Inhabitants of the several Parishes of Mansfield and Normanton upon Soare It is Ordered that the powers and provisions of the aforementioned Act of Parliament be suspended within those respective Parishes until the second day of December next—

An application was made to this Court by and on behalf of the Inhabitants of the several Parishes or Townships of Bradmore—Bunny—Keyworth—Selston—Stapleford—East Leake—Rempstone—Costock—Tollerton and Barton to suspend the Powers and Provisions of the said Act of Parliament in those several Parishes or Townships respectively but such applications were on due consideration severally refused—

Adjourned to the Shire Hall in Nottingham to Monday the 2d day of December next at 10 o'Clock in the forenoon

By the Court
Godfrey
Clerk of the Peace

9th November 1816: 'Observator' writes to the Leeds Mercury advocating the taxation of machinery

To the EDITOR of the LEEDS MERCURY.

SIR—I rely upon your well-known for the insertion in your widely extended paper of the following remarks on the general distress of the country, with the subjoined hints, calculated to relieve the community from the enormous burthen of poor rates and taxes.

The employment of so great portion of our population to carry on the late eventual war so drained us of men, that, to enable us the carry on our trade at the same time, which increased to an enormous extent, in consequence of our naval superiority, factories were filled with machinery, to perform the work that had before been done by hand; and the Agriculturalist following the examples of the trader, establishing the thrashing-machine, &c. &c. Whilst we, as it were, held the world in subjection by blockading the ports of our enemies, and engrossed to ourselves not only the trade of Europe, but nearly of the whole world, these inventions added sinews to our country, at the same time that they enabled the traders to acquire immense fortunes. But since peace has been restored, those Powers who were compelled to use goods of our making, now make for themselves, consequently our trade has diminished; but the number of labourers increased by the return of thousands from the army and navy: thus, the necessity of machinery is done away by the diminution of trade and the increase of labourers: still the machine continues to be worked while the labourer is unemployed and in a state of distress.

As the gentleman of landed interest is obliged to support the pauper, it would seem wise to employ him to thrash out his corn: and as the factories do not employ our poor, or support them when unemployed, and as they do not increase our revenue by import or export duties, it would seem expedient that the machines used in them should be done away, or that the articles made by them should be subject to a tax, so as to put manual labour on a footing with machinery.

The observations that follow will, I believe, apply to all the various concerns conducted by machinery, but, as the clothing trade is more familiar to me than any other. I shall confine my remarks to that only. Whoever will take the trouble to trace the progress of machinery in this business from its introduction to the present time, and its effect upon the landed interest, will find that just in proportion as labour has been done away by its employment, so has the land been burthened to support the poor, although it was not so severely felt whilst we had nearly trade of the whole world, and the war demand enabled the Agriculturalist to obtain his own price for the produce of his land. About thirty years ago the carding-engine and spinning-jenny were introduced: this was the first serious encroachment on the labourer; up to this period the whole female population of a manufacturing district was constantly employed spinning, &c. and the male cultivated the land: there was not a cottage within twenty miles of a manufacturing town whose inhabitants were not furnished with labour, and consequently with bread. A reference to the parish books would enable any gentleman to trace its effect on the poor-rates. The next step of innovation that lessened labour was the use of the scribbling engine; this branch of the trade employing fewer persons, chiefly men and boys, and being introduced during the war, was less felt; then followed the various machines used to dressing cloths, called gigs and shearing frames, whose operation collectively has transferred the labour of the country to an immense pile of building called a Factory; the machinery of which is worked by water or steam, and managed by a few persons only, instead of giving employment and support to thousands, who would, in their turn, by the wages arising from labour, be enabled to purchase the produce of the land, and other articles of support which yield a tax, and thereby contribute to take the burthen from the landed interest. It is, I believe, a political axiom not disputed, that the strength of a country consists in the number and industry of its inhabitants: if this be true, I begin to suspect, that unless some employment be found for the labourer, we must in the next war fight our battles with machinery, or become an easy prey to some daring invader, when emigration and starvation have depopulated our country. In an overgrown factory, one or even two hundred cloths are made a week by the employment of a few persons only; so that if we could retain the trade of the whole world, and combinations of persons continue to extend mechanical influence to the exclusion of manual labour, the population of the country must be in a state of starvation, and would demand support from the landed interest: furnish the poor with employment instead of using machines, and there will immediately follow a decrease of poor-rates, for then none will require parochial relief but the orphan, the aged, and infirm.

With one quarter part of our trade, conducted without machinery, there would be no want of employment for the poor, and instead of a company of three or four persons, with an overgrown capital, engrossing the trade of a populous district, it would be divided amongst the many, and the industrious man with a small capital would be enabled to bring his goods to market on equal terms with this opulent neighbour. The introduction of machinery has enabled the facturer to glut the market in a few weeks, let the demand be what it may: so that even the persons employed in these factories, some of whom get great wages, when at work, are sometimes revelling in drunkenness or debauchery, or starving for want of employ. The introduction of machinery has contributed also to debase the morals of society, by huddling the sexes together, in these factories, beyond the conception of persons not acquainted with its effect.

The charitable donations of the opulent, (which operate as a tax on the landed interest) can at best afford only temporary relief; and if it could be continued, would not fail to convert our hardy industrious labourer into a cringing servile beggar. If the gentlemen of landed interest, who must support the starving poor, do not enact some salutary law on this subject, these Trading Companies will ruin the country ruined the country to enrich themselves; and while they assume a style of splendour that eclipses and astonishes the country gentleman, their poor neighbours starve.

Tax machinery and you will give the poor employment: you will make them independent, and will make them happy.

OBSERVATOR.

6th November 1816: Meeting of Trades Deputies in London calls for suppression of machinery or new taxes against it

London, Nov. 12, 1816.

Gentlemen,

AT a meeting of Deputies from different Trades throughout the Metropolis and its environs, held at Hole-in-the-Wall, Fleet Street, November 6, 1816, convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the distress resulting from Machinery; and to adopt proper measures for the relieving those grievances, by petitioning the Prince Regent for redress,

The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to, viz.

I. THAT during the last 25 years, the introduction of Machinery which dispenses with manual labour, has become so alarmingly extensive, that Mechanics have gradually felt the interest declining, and through the unexampled and unnecessary, increase of the same, are now suffering every deprivation possible for nature to sustain.

II. That were Machinery suppressed the demand for manual labour would consequently be increased, and the country in general feel the immediate benefit thereof.

III. That the present system of working goods by machinery is prejudicial to the interests of Great Britain as a Trading Nation, by injuring the character of British manufacture to Foreign market; as goods worked by machines are inferior in quality, and unequal in durability to those worked by hand labour.

IV. That it is injurious to home consumption. Before the use of machinery, our markets were supplied by manual labour; as, according to the then low prices of provisions, Men were enabled to work for less wages than it is possible at the present time, when every article of consumption is rising to such an exorbitant amount. Commodities were then sold at a lower rate to the public, than even now with the use of Machinery.

V. That it is in a great degree prejudicial to the revenue, as the immense number of individuals thus thrown out of employ, are unable to purchase the different commodities on which the several duties are imposed. The Machine produces every thing while it consumes nothing; and the profits arising from the same, are thrown into the pockets of a few Machine Proprietors, instead of being distributed among thousands.

VI. That the present system is injurious to the nation at large, by the increase of the Poor Rates. That intelligent magistrate, P. COLQUHOUN, Esq, in his evidence before the Honourable the Committee of the Commons House of Parliament, very justly observes, "That from the introduction of Machinery the supply of labour has been for a length of time greater in almost all branches of industry than the demand, and hence the vast number of individuals on parish funds in the middle station of life."

VII. That since the introduction of Machinery, the commission of crime has increased to an alarming and deplorable extent. Individuals by being reduced to extreme distress, are often urged to commit crimes, for which the laws of the country condemn them; who, could they have obtained employ, might have continued industrious and beneficial members of society.

VIII. That the present system is unjust to those men who have been brought up in, and served their apprenticeships, to their several trades; their whole prospects being at once blasted by the introduction of a Machine, which reduces them to beggary and want, and entails upon their offspring every evil.

IX. That it is also unreasonable and unjust to those men who have been fighting the battles and maintaining the honour of their country. Through the introduction of Machinery, they were obliged to leave their families, their homes, and all that were dear to them; and now, when their country no longer requires their services, they return, but it is to find those Machines, which before had usurped their stations, still flourishing is all their destructive influence! while they, as a reward for their valuable services, are left to starve in silence, or die in obscurity.

X. That Machinery is thus altogether injurious to our foreign trade as well as home consumption. It diminishes the revenue and increases the burthen of the people, fills our poor-houses with paupers, and our prisons with malefactors; and to the discarded mechanic and discharged veteran, it is alike unreasonable and unjust.

XI. That the mechanics, artisans, and labourers of this realm, are no longer blind to their own interests, but do here unite to petition His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, for redress and deliverance from these accumulated evils. We are bold in asserting, that we are the principal support of our Government; but at the same time are proud of indulging the hope, that the Government will not turn a deaf ear to our complaints, but will protect us from this cruel and unjust system, by which we are deprived of the only means of continuing honest and industrious subjects.

XII. That a Petition be drawn up embodying these resolutions, to be presented to the Prince Regent, praying His Royal Highness to make known to Parliament when assembled, the distressed state of his suffering but loyal subjects, the mechanics, artisans, and labourers of this realm; recommending them to take into their early consideration, the most advisable measures for the suppression or suspension of all Machinery, which dispenses with, or injures manual labour.

XIII. That this meeting be adjourned till Wednesday, November 20, 1816, to be then and there holden. [6 o clock eveng]

IN pursuance of the powers vested in the Committee to procure the best information the Committee have to request, that you will collect as much information as you possibly can, under the following heads; and transmit the same as early as possible to this Committee.—[By Letter or by Delegates]— as the source to which they may apply, to establish the case when required.

FIRST—To collect cases of the different Machine; the quantity of work done by each Machine within a given period; how many persons are employed to work each Machines, distinguishing adults from children; and what wages they receive.

SECONDLY—How many persons used to be employed to do the same quantity as of the Machine within a given period, distinguishing adults from children; and the wages they receive; thus showing how many persons are thrown out of employ by each Machine, distinguishing adults from children; consequently, proving how many more persons would be now employed if Machinery was not in use.

THIRDLY—The original costs of each Machine; how long each Machine will last in constant use; how many persons are employed in keeping each Machine in repair, and at what expence.

FOURTHLY—What the various articles sold for before Machines were introduced, and what these articles now sell for, thereby, describing what benefit the public derives by the use of such Machines.

FIFTHLY—What Machines are taxed; what articles are taxed that are made by machinery; how long they have been taxed; the amount of the tax; and whether the said articles were taxed before the use of Machinery.

By order of the Committee [Joseph Wright Secy]

P.S. It is requested that all communications to the Committee will be sent post paid, Direct to J.W. Hollingworth’s, Black Swan, Bermondsey Street, Southwark, London.

6th November 1816: West Riding Magistrates fear return to a 'Luddite System' following the murder of a gamekeeper

Kildwick Novr 6th 1816.

My Lord,

We the undersigned magistrates acting in & for the West Riding of Yorkshire beg leave to call your Lordship’s attention to the following statement of a most atrocious murder which took place on Friday Evening the 25th Octr last at Silsden a Village in this neighbourhood where the Earl of Thanet is Lord of the Manor & nearly sole Proprietor—a man of the name of Thomas Hanson who was employed to look after the Game within the manor & his whole crime appears to have been a zeal to do his Duty in that capacity by strictly looking after the Poachers (who are become very numerous in this part of the Country & a Terror to the peaceable Inhabitants) was diabolically assassinated by some villain or villains who fired at him thro’ the Kitchen Window of a Public House in the village where he had been about an hour in Company with some others of his Neighbours—the particulars will be laid before your Lordship in a Duplicate of the Depositions on the Coroners Inquest, which will be sent tomorrow—We are met for the purpose of further investigating this horrible plot, & we are unanimously of Opinion that if Government should think it is of sufficient importance to aid our exertions, by offering such a reward as they may think proper, together with a pardon to any accomplice, who would make discovery of the Offence except the Person who actually fired the Piece, it might have a powerful effect & we beg further to suggest that if an active & intelligent Bow Street Officer was sent down to the purpose for the purpose of Investigation, he would greatly assist our exertions for the People in general thro’ the whole neighbourhood are so panic struck with the apprehension of the return of the Luddite System, that they really dare not come forward in lending their assistance towards making any discoveries or taking any active part whatsoever in the business. We mean to adjourn from day to day & any communication, that your Lordship may be pleased to honour us with on this subject may be addressed to J.A. Busfield Esq:, Chairman of this Meeting at Cononley Hall near Skipton in Craven Yorkshire—

We have the honour to remain
Your Lordship’s most
obedt. humble Servts

J.A. Busfield
Matt: Wilson
Edwd Ferrand.
Walker Ferrand
Wm Rushcliffe
Anth: Lister